Mechanical pressure operated actuating device



Oct. 23, 1951 R. w. PETERS MECHANICAL PRESSURE OPEEATED ACTUATING DEVICE Filed Sept. 6, 1950 /14' L* INVENTOR WP@ ers zg Z5 ATTORNEY:

Patented Oct. 23, 1951 MECHANICAL PRESSURE OPERATED ACTUATING DEVICE.

Ralph W. Peters, Hollywood, Calif. y Application September 6, 1950, Serial No. 183,450

(Cl. 'i4-469) 1 Claim.

This invention relates to a mechanical pressure operated actuating device, and, more parv ticularly, to such a device adapted to energize or actuate associated mechanism in either of two directions in accordance with the direction of the application of mechanical pressure thereto.

An important object of this invention is the provision of a device for actuating a lever or the like, whereby to operate mechanism, such, for example, as the opening and closing mechanism for mechanically operated garage doors which will actuate such mechanism upon application of pressure thereto, the direction of actuation being governed by the direction of application of pressure.

An additional object of the invention is the provision of a device of this nature characterized by a plurality of hingedly connected movable plates so arranged as to apply pressure selectively in either of two directions to an operating rod, whereby to actuate mechanism associated therewith.

A further object of the invention is the pro- I vision of a device of this character having means whereby the operating rod or lever is automatically returned to central or neutral position upon release of pressure thereon.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of such a device which will be sturdy and durable in construction, reliable and efficient in operation, and relatively simple and inexpensive to manufacture, assemble, and install.

Other objects reside in the combinations of elements, arrangements of parts, and features of construction, all as will be more fully pointed out hereinafter and disclosed in the accompanying drawing wherein there is shown a preferred embodiment of this inventive concept.

In the drawings:

Figure l is a top plan View of one form of device embodying the instant invention shown in installed position.

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 2-2 of Figure 19 viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows.

Figure 3 is a top plan View of the device, the top plates thereof being removed.

Figure 4 is a sectiona1 view taken substantially along the line 4-4 of Figure 1 as viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows, and

Figure 5 is a fragmentary side elevational view showing a constructional detail.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, there is generally indicated at I0 a rectangular frame comprised of side angle iron membersv II ,and

similar end members I2, the frame being adapted l to be inset in a recess I3 in a concrete drive I4 or the like. Extending transversely between the side members II at opposite ends adjacent end members I2 are two horizontally positioned rods I5, and extremities I6 of which project outwardly beyond side members II to form pivots which extend into slots I1 formed in depending flanges I8 at the extremities of relatively flat end plates I9. End plates I9 are disposed in opposite relation, and are provided at the extremities thereof opposite flanges I8, with staggered portions 20 reverted to form loops, and coacting with oppositely staggered portions 2| of a central plate 22, the portions 2| also being reverted to provide in combination with the reverted portions 20 aligned bores for the reception of hinge pins 23, the entire assembly forming three hingedly connected sections pivotally connected at its opposite ends to the frame I0. Extending transversely across the center of frame I0 and journalled in side members II is an operating rod or lever 25 provided at its mid point with oppositely extending lugs 26 each provided with an eye adapted for the reception of one end of a coiled spring member 2l, the opposite end of each member 21 being anchored in an eye bolt 28 engaged in a suitable threaded aperture in a transverse bar 29, and secured therein as by a wing nut 30. The arrangement is such that upon rotation of the rod 25, in a manner to be more fully pointed out hereinafter, the springs 2l will serve to bias, through lugs 26, the rod 25 back to central or neutral position.

Fixedly secured to rod 25 on opposite sides of lug 26 are aV pair of levers 35 each of which is provided at its upper extremity with a transversely extending pin or axle 36 upon which is mounted a roller 31, the rollers being normally in engagement with the under surface of plate 22 at substantially its mid point.

As best shown in Figure 3 each of side members II is provided with a pair of stub axles or pins 40 projecting inwardly therefrom which carry rollers 4I, adapted to be engaged by plates I9 when the latter are in one position of adjustment, as will be more fully pointed out hereinafter.

One extremity of rod 25 may extend outwardly beyond frame I, and have secured thereto a lever 42, or any other suitable member which it is desired to move in either of two directions for the purpose of actuating any desired mechanism.

From the foregoing, the operation of the device should now be readily understandable. When pressure is applied to one of plates I9, from either direction, as, for example, from the direction indicated by the arrow in Figure 2, the plate is depressed to flat position as shown by dotted lines until it rests, on the rollers 4l.. ThisA depression will simultaneously cause, through the hinged connection formed by pin 23, an inclination of the plate 22 to the position shown, or downwardly inclined in the direction of the application of pressure. As the wheel of the vehicle advancesl onto plate 22, the latter will obviously' be depressed, and the pressure exerted thereonwill. cause the rollers 31 to move away from the drection of the application of pressure rotating rod 25 and, hence, actuating its associated` mech# anism. As the vehicle wheel leaves plate 22 the second plate I9 will be siniilarly depressed releasing the pressure on levers 35, andi permitting (the springs 21 Yto act to return levers' 35 to upright' position and rod '25y to central or neutral' posi' tion,

ObviousIy upon the application of pressure fromA an opposite direction the' reverse action will be e'e'cted, andl the rod 25 rotated in an opposite direction, again away from the direc` tionof the application of force.

From theforegoingy it will now be seen that there i's-lie'rein provided an improved mechanical pressure operated' actuating device which accom-v plishes all the objects of this invention, and othersfincludi'ng man-y' advantages of great practicall utility 'and' commercial importance.

As many embodiments may be made of this inventive concept, and as many modifications may be made of the embodiment herein shown and described, it is to be understood that all matter herein is to be interpreted merely as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.-

I claim In adevice. ot the character described a frame, an operating rodv extending transversely across said frame, levers extending from said rod, springs means associated with said rod manually biasing. said levers. to upright position, additional transverse' rods' extending across the ends of said4 frame and outwardly thereof, each of said plates having slotted side anges, the ends of said additional transverse rods engaging in the slots of saidv flanges to pivotally secure said endplates at one end to said frame, and a center plate pivotally secured between said end plates whereby'pressure on one of said end-plates biases said. levers in one direction. and tilts said center. plate, and subsequent pressure on said center platemoves'said leversin a direction opposite to the direction of application of pressure to rotate said rod: in said direction. A

RALPH W. PETERS.

REFERENCES CITED Nul-niiet Name Date 1,134,810 Beerbower Apr. 6, 1915 Weikert Oct. v8, 1918 

